South Africa Employment Rate (2025)
South Africa's Employment Rate: 37.6 % of total population ages 15+ in 2025, unchanged YoY. World Bank (SL.EMP.TOTL.SP.ZS), 1991–2025.
South Africa (2025)
37.6
% of total population ages 15+
unchanged YoY
YoY Change
unchanged
percentage points
Trend
neutral
Series length
35
years of data
Data
| Year | % of total population ages 15+ | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 37.6 | unchanged |
| 2024 | 37.6 | +0.2pp |
| 2023 | 37.4 | +1.7pp |
| 2022 | 35.7 | +1.4pp |
| 2021 | 34.3 | -1.5pp |
| 2020 | 35.8 | -3.7pp |
| 2019 | 39.5 | -0.8pp |
| 2018 | 40.3 | -0.1pp |
| 2017 | 40.4 | +0.2pp |
| 2016 | 40.2 | -0.7pp |
| 2015 | 40.9 | +0.9pp |
| 2014 | 40 | unchanged |
| 2013 | 40 | +0.5pp |
| 2012 | 39.5 | +0.2pp |
| 2011 | 39.3 | -0.1pp |
| 2010 | 39.4 | -1.9pp |
| 2009 | 41.3 | -2pp |
| 2008 | 43.3 | -0.1pp |
| 2007 | 43.4 | -0.1pp |
| 2006 | 43.5 | unchanged |
About this Dataset
South Africa recorded 37.6 % of total population ages 15+ in 2025. That is unchanged on the previous period. Across 1991–2025 the series ranges from 34.3 in 2021 to 45 in 1996.
This page tracks the employment-to-population ratio in South Africa (share of 15+ population employed) from 1990 to present. Compare to ILO global benchmarks.
Data sourced from World Bank via Open Data API. Values use World Bank standardised methodology intended for cross-country comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
This page tracks the employment-to-population ratio in South Africa (share of 15+ population employed) from 1990 to present. Compare to ILO global benchmarks. It is published by World Bank and updated annually.
The most recent observation covers 2025. World Bank typically publishes this series with a lag of several months after the reference period. The series runs 1991–2025 (35 observations).
The series peaked at 45 % of total population ages 15+ in 1996 and reached its lowest recorded value of 34.3 in 2021. The latest reading of 37.6 in 2025 is unchanged on the previous period.